Securing device for cargo restraining apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for securing cargo restraining apparatus on a wall of a cargo receptacle is comprised of a body member adapted for slidable engagement with an elongated track on the wall; an attachment member for attaching the body member to the cargo restraining apparatus; and first and second trigger members at respective opposed ends of the body member. The first and second trigger members are adapted to engage respective complementary portions of the track to inhibit sliding movement of the body member along the track when both of the first and second trigger members are engaged with the track, such that the body member is slidable only in one direction when the first trigger member is disengaged from the track and the second trigger member is engaged with the track and is slidable only in an opposite direction when the second trigger member is disengaged from the track and the first trigger member is engaged with the track. The first and second trigger members have respective beveled surfaces to facilitate disengagement of the first and second trigger members from the track.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to cargo restraining apparatus used incargo receptacles, such as, for example, in the interior of a truck orother vehicle, and in particular to a device for securing cargorestraining apparatus in the cargo receptacle.

BACKGROUND ART

Cargo restraining apparatus of various types are known in the art.Typically, such apparatus is used within a cargo receptacle, such as,for example, within a truck body, to restrain the cargo from excessivemovement within the receptacle. One type of restraining apparatus iscomprised of one or more beams, which partition the cargo load and/orform supporting joists for vertically-spaced decking structuresextending between opposed walls of the truck body.

Another type of cargo restraining apparatus is comprised of one or moresynthetic straps or a web of straps forming a net that spans between theopposed walls of the cargo receptacle. Typically, the straps or net isanchored at four locations on the walls to define a four-cornered,generally rectangular restraining apparatus. The anchoring locations areadjustable, depending on the amount and location of the cargo. Oneproblem with such cargo straps or nets is that they are easily removablefrom the cargo receptacle and are subject to theft, loss and damage.Accordingly, there is a need for a securing device for cargo restrainingstraps and nets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a device for securing cargorestraining apparatus in a cargo receptacle is comprised of a bodymember adapted for slidable engagement with an elongated track in thereceptacle; an attachment member for attaching the body member to thecargo restraining apparatus; and first and second trigger members atrespective opposed ends of the body member. In accordance with oneaspect of the invention, the first and second trigger members areadapted to engage respective complementary portions of the track toinhibit sliding movement of the body member along the track when boththe first and second trigger members are engaged with the track, suchthat the body member is slidable only in one direction when the firsttrigger member is disengaged from the track and the second triggermember is engaged with the track and is slidable only in an oppositedirection when the second trigger member is disengaged from the trackand the first trigger member is engaged with the track.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the first and secondtrigger members have respective beveled surfaces to facilitatedisengagement of the first and second trigger members from the track.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the securingdevice further includes a retaining member for retaining the body memberin slidable engagement with the track.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the bodymember has a hole extending transversely therethrough. The attachmentmember is comprised of a ring member that extends through the hole andis adapted to extend through a complementary opening in the cargorestraining apparatus.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the trackhas plural slots at predetermined intervals therealong. The first andsecond trigger members are adapted to matingly engage respective ones ofthe track slots.

In accordance with a yet another embodiment of the invention, the trackhas a base portion and first and second ears depending from respectiveopposed sides of the base portion in converging relationship to definerespective first and second grooves. The body member has first andsecond flanges depending from respective opposed sides thereof. Thefirst and second ears are adapted to capture the first and secondflanges within the respective first and second grooves to limit movementof the body member to sliding movement along the track when the bodymember is engaged with the track.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the baseportion of the track includes a central hump between the first andsecond grooves. The openings are spaced along the central hump. Thecentral hump provides a raised portion to facilitate mating engagementbetween the first and second trigger members and the correspondingslots.

In accordance with the present invention, when the track extendssubstantially the entire distance between opposed walls of the cargoreceptacle and the securing device is in slidable engagement with thetrack, a cargo restraining apparatus that is relatively permanentlyattached to the securing device is effectively secured within the cargoreceptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the interior of a cargo receptacle,showing a cargo restraining net attached at four corners thereof torespective four anchoring tracks on the interior walls of the cargoreceptacle;

FIG. 2 is a detailed, perspective view of one corner of the cargorestraining net, showing the attachment thereof to one of the fourtracks shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the interior of the cargo receptacle ofFIG. 1, showing the cargo restraining net disengaged from three of thefour tracks;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a device for securing the cargorestraining net, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the securing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an anchoring track in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 6B is an end elevation view of the anchoring track of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is an elevation view of the securing device of FIG. 4 inslideable engagement with the anchoring track of FIG. 6A, showingbi-directional movement of the device along the track;

FIG. 7B is an elevation view of the securing device of FIG. 4 inslideable engagement with the anchoring track of FIG. 6A, showingmovement of the device along the track in one direction;

FIG. 7C is an elevation view of the securing device of FIG. 4 inslideable engagement with the anchoring track of FIG. 6A, showingmovement of the device along the track in an opposite direction from thedirection shown in FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7D is an elevation view of the securing device of FIG. 4 inslideable engagement with the anchoring track of FIG. 6A, showing thedevice secured against movement in either direction along the track; and

FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the securing device of FIG. 4 inslideable engagement with the anchoring track of FIG. 6A.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same respective reference numbers.The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instancesproportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly describethe best mode for carrying out the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cargo restraining net 10 is comprised of agenerally rectangular web of straps made of a synthetic material. Net 10is removably attached at each of its four corners to a correspondingelongated metal track 12, 14, 16 or 18 mounted on a corresponding sidewall 20 or 22 of a cargo receptacle 24. The cargo receptacle 24 shown inFIG. 1 is the interior of a transport vehicle, such as a truck. However,one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention hasapplication in various types of cargo receptacles, including, but notlimited to, transport vehicles. Tracks 12 and 18 are mounted on wall 20and tracks 14 and 16 are mounted on wall 22, which is on the oppositeside of cargo receptacle 24 from wall 20. Each corner of net 10 has anattachment device for attaching the corresponding corner to acorresponding track 12, 14, 16 or 18, as will be described in greaterdetail hereinbelow. Net 10 is depicted in its operational position inFIG. 1, wherein net 10 spans substantially the entire height and widthof receptacle 24 for restraining excessive movement of cargo (not shown)therein. Each track 12, 14, 16 and 18 has plural slots spaced along thecorresponding track for receiving the corresponding attachment device,whereby net 10 is positionable at various locations along walls 20 and22.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the attachment of net 10 to track 12 on alower part of wall 20 is shown in detail. An attachment device 26 isprovided for removably attaching a corner strap 10 a of net 10 to track12. Device 26 has an elongated opening through which corner strap 10 ais laced. Corner strap 10 a is then doubled back on itself and the tagend thereof is secured, preferably by sewing, to form a permanent loopat the end of corner strap 10 a and secure corner strap 10 a toattachment device 26. Attachment device 26 is preferably made of a metalmaterial and includes a spring-loaded trigger 26 a, which biases aportion of attachment device 26 into mating engagement with one of aplurality of generally rectangular slots 28 spaced along track 12, asshown in FIG. 2. Each slot 28 is elongated along a vertical axis. Manualoperation of trigger 26 a against the spring bias allows attachmentdevice 26 to be disengaged from the corresponding slot 28 when it isdesired to remove the corresponding corner of net 10 from wall 20 or toreposition that corner of net 10 along wall 20.

Track 12 is preferably a standard “E type” mounting track typically usedin cargo receptacles, such as in the interior of truck bodies. Track 12has a raised central portion 12 a in which slots 28 are formed andflange portions 12 b, 12 c on respective opposed sides of centralportion 12 a. Flange portions 12 b and 12 c have plural holes spacedtherealong for receiving respective mounting members 30, such as screws,whereby track 12 is mounted on wall 20. Although not shown in detail,tracks 14 and 16 are identical to track 12 and corner straps 10 b and 10c are removably attached to respective tracks 14 and 16 by means ofattachment devices that are identical to attachment device 26 describedhereinabove.

In accordance with the present invention, a fourth track 18, which ismounted on an upper part of wall 20, has a different structure from theother three tracks 12, 14 and 16, as can be best seen in FIGS. 6A and6B. Referring to FIGS. 3, 6A and 6B, track 18 extends along wall 20substantially the entire distance between a front wall 31 of receptacle24 and a rear wall 32 thereof. Rear wall 32 is partially defined by anaccess panel (not shown), which can be opened to allow access to theinterior of receptacle 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. When the accesspanel is closed, it defines a solid rear wall 32 to fully enclose theinterior of receptacle 24.

Track 18 is an elongated metal track comprised of a base portion 18 aand two ears 18 b, 18 c depending from respective opposed sides of baseportion 18 a in converging relationship to define two elongated grooves34, 36. Base portion 18 a defines a central hump having plural generallyelliptical slots 38 spaced therealong. The respective major axes ofslots 38 are aligned along a longitudinal axis of track 18.

In FIG. 3, net 10 is shown hanging down after three of the four cornersthereof have been disengaged from respective tracks 12, 14 and 16.However, the fourth corner is not disengageable from track 18 to preventnet 10 from being removed from receptacle 24. The attachment device bywhich net 10 is relatively permanently attached to track 18 will now bedescribed with reference to the remaining FIGS. 4, 5, 7A-D and 8, aswell as with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 6A and 6B.

An attachment device 40 is provided to secure one corner of net 10 inrelatively permanent engagement with track 18. Device 40 has a differentconfiguration from the attachment devices 26 used to attach the otherthree corners of net 10 to tracks 12, 14 and 16. Device 40 has a bodymember 40 a comprised of plural metal plates in abutting relationshipand held together by suitable connectors, such as rivets 40 b. As can bebest seen in FIG. 8, device 40 further includes flanges 40 c, 40 ddepending from respective opposed sides of body member 40 a. First andsecond spring-loaded trigger members 40 e, 40 f are pivotally mounted atrespective opposed ends of body member 40 a by means of suitablemounting members, such as pins 40 g, 40 h. A “D” ring 42 extends througha central hole 44 in body member 40 a. Corner strap 10 d is lacedthrough “D” ring 42 and doubled back on itself and the tag end issecured, preferably by sewing, to define a permanent loop, wherebycorner strap 10 d is secured to device 40, as can be best seen in FIG.5.

Trigger members 40 e and 40 f are adapted to matingly engage slots 38 intrack 18, as shown in FIG. 4. Trigger members 40 e and 40 f are springbiased into mating engagement with corresponding slots 38. The raisedhump defined by base portion 18 a provides sufficient clearance betweentrack 18 and wall 20 to facilitate mating engagement between triggermembers 40 e, 40 f and the respective slots 38. As can be best seen inFIGS. 5 and 7A-D, the respective lower surfaces 40 i and 40 j of triggermembers 40 e and 40 f are beveled, to facilitate disengagement of thetrigger members from the respective slots 38. As shown in FIG. 8, device40 is constrained to sliding movement along track 18 when flanges 40 c,40 d are captured within respective grooves 34, 36. As shown in FIG. 7A,trigger members 40 e, 40 f may be manually operated against the springbias to disengage trigger members 40 e, 40 f from respective slots 38.When trigger members 40 e and 40 f are so disengaged, device 40 ismoveable in either direction along track 18, as indicated by arrows 46and 48.

If it is desired to move device 40 in only one direction (i.e., thedirection indicated by arrow 46 in FIG. 7B), only trigger member 40 eneed be manually operated to disengage it from the corresponding slot38. The beveled lower surface 40 j of trigger member 40 f allows triggermember 40 f to be disengaged from the corresponding slot 38 when device40 is moved in the direction of arrow 46 without the need to manuallyoperate trigger member 40 f.

If it is desired to move device 40 in the opposite direction (i.e., thedirection indicated by arrow 48 in FIG. 7C), only trigger member 40 fneed be manually operated to disengage it from the corresponding slot38. The beveled lower surface 40 i of trigger member 40 e allows triggermember 40 e to be disengaged from the corresponding slot 38 when device40 is moved in the direction of arrow 48 without the need to manuallyoperate trigger member 40 e.

In FIG. 7D, when both trigger members 40 e and 40 f are in matingengagement with respective slots 38, device 40 is anchored againstmovement in either direction along track 18. Track 18 is secured to wall20 by suitable securing members, such as screws 50.

Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been describedhereinabove with reference to a cargo restraining net, one skilled inthe art will recognize that the securing device in accordance with thepresent invention is also adapted to secure other types of cargorestraining apparatus, such as beams and straps. Further, although anenclosed cargo receptacle such as the interior of a truck body is shownin the drawings, the securing device according to the present inventionis also adapted for use in a semi-enclosed cargo receptacle, such as thebed of a pickup truck The securing device is adapted to be capturedwithin a wall-mounted track, whereby the device and the cargorestraining apparatus are free to move along the length of the track,but cannot be removed therefrom. The securing device is further adaptedto be anchored at various positions along the track corresponding to thelocations of slots in the track, which are spaced at predeterminedintervals (e.g., two inches) along the track, such that the cargorestraining apparatus is positionable at any one of a plurality ofpredetermined positions along the wall of the cargo receptacle.

The best mode for carrying out the invention has now been described indetail. Since changes in and additions to the above-described best modemay be made without departing from the nature, spirit and scope of theinvention, the invention is not to be limited to said details, but onlyby the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A device for securing cargo restraining apparatus in a cargoreceptacle, said device comprising: a body member adapted for slidableengagement with an elongated track mounted in receptacle; first andsecond trigger members at respective opposed ends of said body member,said first and second trigger members being adapted to engage respectivecomplementary portions of the track to inhibit sliding movement of saidbody member along the track when both of said first and second triggermembers are engaged with the track, said body member being slidable onlyin a first direction when said first trigger member is disengaged fromthe track and said second trigger member is engaged with the track, saidbody member being slidable only in a second direction when said secondtrigger member is disengaged from the track and said first triggermember is engaged with the track, said second direction being oppositefrom said first direction; and an attachment member for attaching thecargo restraining apparatus to said device.
 2. The device of claim 1said first and second trigger members are spring-biased into engagementwith the track.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said first and secondtrigger members are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to saidbody member.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said body member iscomprised of plural plates in abutting relationship.
 5. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said first and second trigger members have respectivebeveled surfaces to facilitate disengagement of said first and secondtrigger members from the track.
 6. The device of claim 1 furtherincluding a retaining member for retaining said body member in slidableengagement with the track.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein saidretaining member is comprised of first and second flanges depending fromrespective opposed sides of said body member.
 8. The device of claim 1wherein said body member has a hole extending transversely therethrough,said attachment member being comprised of a ring member extendingthrough said hole, said ring member being adapted to extend through acomplementary opening in the cargo restraining apparatus.
 9. A devicefor securing cargo restraining apparatus on a wall of a cargoreceptacle, said device comprising: an anchoring member mountable on thewall; a body member adapted for slidable engagement with said anchoringmember; first and second trigger members at respective opposed ends ofsaid body member, said first and second trigger members being adapted toengage respective complementary portions of said anchoring member toinhibit sliding movement of said body member when both of said first andsecond trigger members are engaged with said anchoring member, said bodymember being slidable only in a first direction when said first triggermember is disengaged from said anchoring member and said second triggermember is engaged with said anchoring member, said body member beingslidable only in a second direction when said second trigger member isdisengaged from said anchoring member and said first trigger member isengaged with said anchoring member, said second direction being oppositefrom said first direction; and an attachment member for attaching thecargo restraining apparatus to said device.
 10. The device of claim 9wherein said anchoring member is comprised of an elongated track havingplural slots at predetermined intervals along said track, said first andsecond trigger members being adapted to matingly engage respective onesof said slots.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said anchoring memberhas a base portion and first and second ears depending from respectiveopposed sides of said base portion in converging relationship to definerespective first and second grooves.
 12. The device of claim 11 whereinsaid body member has first and second flanges depending from respectiveopposed sides of said body member, said first and second ears beingadapted to capture said first and second flanges within the respectivefirst and second grooves to limit movement of said body member tosliding movement along said track when said body member is engaged withsaid anchoring member.
 13. The device of claim 11 wherein said baseportion includes a central hump between said first and second grooves,said slots being spaced along said central hump.
 14. The device of claim13 wherein said hump is adapted to provide sufficient spacing betweensaid slots and the wall on which said anchoring member is mounted tofacilitate mating engagement between said first and second triggermembers and respective ones of said slots.
 15. The device of claim 10wherein each of said slots is generally elliptically shaped, with amajor axis aligned along a longitudinal axis of said track.
 16. A devicefor securing cargo restraining apparatus on a wall of a cargoreceptacle, said device comprising: an elongated track mountable on thewall, said track having a base portion and first and second earsdepending from respective opposed sides of said base portion, said baseportion having plural slots at predetermined intervals along said track;a body member adapted for slidable engagement with said anchoringmember, said first and second ears being adapted to limit movement ofsaid body member to sliding movement along said track when said bodymember is in engagement with said anchoring member; an engagement memberadapted to matingly engage at least one of said slots when saidanchoring member is mounted on the wall to secure said body member in asubstantially fixed position with respect to said anchoring member; andan attachment member for attaching the cargo restraining apparatus tosaid device.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein said first and secondears depend from said base portion in converging relationship to definerespective first and second grooves.
 18. The device of claim 17 whereinsaid body member has first and second flanges depending from respectiveopposed sides of said body member, said first and second ears beingadapted to capture said first and second flanges within the respectivefirst and second grooves to limit movement of said body member tosliding movement along said track when said body member is engaged withsaid anchoring member.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein said baseportion includes a central hump between said first and second grooves,said slots being spaced along said central hump.
 20. Cargo restrainingapparatus, comprising: an anchoring member mounted on a wall of a cargoreceptacle, said anchoring member having an elongated track with pluralslots at predetermined intervals along said track; a securing memberhaving an engagement member adapted to matingly engage at least one ofsaid slots when said anchoring member is mounted on the wall of a cargoreceptacle to mount said securing member in a substantially fixedposition with respect to the wall, said securing member being capturedwithin said track to prevent removal of said securing member from saidanchoring member when said anchoring member is mounted on the wall of acargo receptacle, said securing member being slidable along said trackwhen said engagement member is not engaged with said at least one ofsaid slots; and a cargo restraining member relatively permanentlyattached to said securing member to inhibit removal of said cargorestraining member from the cargo receptacle without removal of saidanchoring member, said restraining member being adjustably positionablewithin the cargo receptacle by sliding said securing member along saidtrack.